Prosvetov protects Spirit 2-1 victory in 39-save effort

Saginaw, Michigan – Four days after stopping a season-high 48 saves for his second OHL career shutout, Saginaw Spirit goaltender Ivan Prosvetov earned his 11th win on the season Thursday in the 2-1 home win over OHL West Division rival Sarnia Sting.

The 2018 Arizona Coyotes fourth-round draft pick received first-star honors with 39 saves from The Dow Event Center as Saginaw sits tied for fourth in the Western Conference standings with seven points gained in the last four games for 31 overall.

17 seconds after Sarnia killed a four-minute major penalty, forward Jake Goldowskirecorded his third goal in five games at 9:24 in the first period. Redirecting the 2-on-1 pass from D.J. Busdeker, Goldowski grabbed his second goal in back-to-back games for the 1-0 Spirit lead.

Goldowski would provide the insurance goal last Sunday en route to a 3-0 shutout at Owen Sound to conclude the three-game Northern Ontario swing. The 18-year-old also earned third-star honors in Saginaw’s home loss to Windsor before the Thanksgiving holiday.

A native of Dexter, Michigan, Busdeker’s assist was his first point since returning from a two-game suspension in Friday’s 3-2 shootout loss at Sudbury. Busdeker has totaled six goals and nine assists for 15 points, scoring a season-high two goals on November 10 against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Second-year standout Aidan Prueter, who finished with one point during the Thanksgiving weekend trip, also was credited with the assist for his eighth this season and12th point.

Thursday marked the fourth consecutive game in which neither the Spirit nor the opposing club earned a goal in the second period. Coming into the game with the league’s sixth best penalty kill, Saginaw would not allow a goal on two man-down situations before the final frame, to have its success rate now stand at 82.3 percent.

Shots on goal after 40 minutes favored the Sting, 29-24, who is in the bottom-10 on the power play with 20 goals out of 105 opportunities.

Ranked second in goals and third in points among all OHL rookies this season, 2018 fifth overall pick Cole Perfetti stands alone as the top goal scorer for the Spirit with 12 heading into the month of December, giving Saginaw a two-goal advantage at 4:25 in the third period.

Perfetti has notched four since returning from Team Canada White at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge early this month, scoring against both Sudbury and Owen Sound. Despite missing five games, the 16-year-old is seventh among all Saginaw players with 17 points.

Veteran forward Cole Coskey, who has led the Spirit in points with 25 since Friday, picked up his 16th assist on the Perfetti goal. Earning his second assist in four games was 2018 New York Islanders second-round pick Bode Wilde, who finished with three points and the game-winning goal on Thanksgiving Day in overtime over North Bay.

Over 85 minutes without allowing a goal in a span of three games for Prosvetov came to an end with 12:59 remaining as former 2017 CHL Import first rounder Hugo Leufvenius scored his team-high 18th goal on the Sarnia power play.

Prosvetov’s goals against average (GAA) stands at 3.16 with a .896 save percentage (SAV%) through 20 appearances.

Applebee’s Three Stars of the Game:

Ivan Prosvetov(SAG) – 39 SVs, W

Cole Perfetti (SAG) – G, +1

Ethan Langevin (SAR) – 29 SVs

The Spirit host Sault Ste. Marie on Saturday, December 1, for the organization’s third annual Superhero Night in partnership with CAN Council. Presented by Yeo & Yeo CPA’s and Business Consultants, the first 1,000 fans aged 12 and under will receive a Superhero cape. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.

Superman themed jerseys will be auctioned off at the conclusion of the game. Proceeds will benefit the CAN Council, whose efforts and services aid the prevention of child abuse and neglect in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Children and parents are also encouraged to dress as their favorite Superhero and participate in the on-ice parade ceremony at the first intermission. Upper level tickets are available for $13 with $5 from each ticket purchased being donated to the CAN Council.

To purchase your tickets for all Spirit home games, call (989) 497-7747, visit saginawspirit.com, or by visiting the Saginaw Spirit Store at 5789 State Street, Saginaw, MI.

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